Noosa local law: Clare Stewart defends controversial changes

Noosa holidaymakers could be banned from ‘excessively loud’ activity, including ‘cheering, clapping or singing’, under controversial new letting laws.

Noosa mayor Clare Stewart has defended controversial new laws that crackdown on “excessively loud” behaviour like “cheering, clapping or singing” at the tourism hotspot’s short stay accommodation.

It comes days before the council introduces its 12-month trial of a new local law that targets “anti-social and unacceptable” behaviour from guests at holiday rentals.

Concerns have been raised into the new laws, which come into effect on February 1, by industry insiders including the region’s peak body for short stay accommodation.

Under the new local law, any occupants must not display “unacceptable behaviour” which includes “loud, aggressive behaviour, yelling, screaming, arguing, excessively loud cheering, clapping or singing” or “create a level of noise which is in excess of the acceptable levels”.

“The law was for all short stay premises including outdoor areas like entertainment areas, decks, balconies, swimming pools or spas,” the new law reads.

Noosa mayor Clare Stewart said the new local law was not perfect but said it was one the community had been crying out for. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

The law requires owners to appoint a manager available 24/7, seven days a week who lives or works within a 20km radius of the site and be accessible by a complaints hotline number which Ms Stewart said was key to the laws.

Ms Stewart said any suggestion that the laws would crackdown on “happy birthday” singalongs was “ridiculous”.

“This law is to ensure that if there is excessive noise night after night, which can happen more regularly at holiday letters, that action can be taken,” Ms Stewart said.

“Being a good neighbour is to assure we don’t have loud parties until midnight, 1am. That’s some of the complaints that council received.”

Noosa Short Term Accommodation Association chair Dave Langdon said the association supported “some” of the changes however, he called for a more impartial policy.

Noosa Short Term Accommodation Association chair Dave Langdon said the association supported some, not all, of the new local law changes.

Mr Langdon questioned the difference between a short stayer being excessively loud compared to a permanent resident.

“It’s easy to blame people who don’t live here and come and stay, but most are doing the right thing,” Mr Langdon said.

“Plenty of people have problems with permanents but it’s only holiday lettings that’s being highlighted as a problem.”

Mr Langdon said the association was “nervous” with how the local law would be rolled out and feared it could have long-term ramifications.

“We are talking hundreds of thousands of dollars here, all being paid by holiday letting owners - that’s on top of rates going up and uncertainty in the tourism market,” Mr Langdon said.

“This will no doubt catch some bad issues but we have to be careful we don’t underestimate its need and the impact on small businesses with the flow on effect.”

Mr Langdon said the new law intertwined the need for affordable housing options in Noosa.

Stayz corporate affairs director Eacham Curry said homeowners could be deterred by the new laws.

Ms Stewart said the local law would be monitored and that it had the potential to be “refined and reviewed”.

She said the council had done an extensive period of consultation with key stakeholders and the community.

“It may not be perfect but it is a step in the right direction and certainly one we needed to take,” she said.

“This is something the community has been crying out for.

“I believe other council shires looking at the laws and are seeing us as leaders.”

Stayz corporate affairs director Eacham Curry told the Daily in October 2021 that the new law could lead to fewer holiday homes in the area.

Holiday Homes @ Noosa owner Glenn McClellan, whose business manages 75 holiday homes, said in March 2021 that the council‘s “heavy handed” approach would hurt the region’s tourism industry.

Glenn McClellan is a Short term accommodation operator in Noosa Glenn McClellan said he was not happy with the changes. Picture: File

Noosa Residents and Ratepayers Association president Adrian Williams said the association supported the new laws.

“We completely support council’s position of the new local laws, the implementation and the controls put in place to protect the amenity of the residents,” Mr Williams said.

“The law isn’t perfect but it’s better than what we have.

“We support what council is doing and hope it’s a success. We will wait and see.”

Originally published as Noosa local law: Clare Stewart defends controversial changes